Cinderford in must-win game, home to Wharfedale
Saturday22 November KO 2.30pm (National 1)
Cinderford faces the sternest of tests under pressure, in a must-win game at home this weekend against Wharfedale, who sit four places above. The Foresters will be fighting to get the points in a crucial move up the table at every opportunity, and are determined to put in the full 80 and a top performance on home turf. New face Nic Corrigan also makes his debut at Dockham Road as the new Lead Coach, bringing more leadership and direction with a focus on the forwards.
Earlier in the week Andy Deacon, professional rugby manager, gave his thoughts on last Saturday: “Blaydon is always a difficult place to go and we discovered that again last weekend. It’s a long, long trip up north but we prepared well and started the game brightly. There was a lot of structure to the game and our scrum and lineout was good so we had a lot of ball. But we didn’t play as much rugby as we needed to and again didn’t manage to score a try which is concerning. We were 15-3 down at the break and they then scored two tries to take the game away from us. We never really came out in the second-half and we were again let down by indiscipline. It was a difficult one to take after all the hard work we had put in during the week. But we keep tight together and keep going, the results will come.”
“We have a few guys back playing rugby such as Jack Adams, Nev Codlin, and Chris Bundy with the likes of Robbie Winchle and Ed King close, so there is light at the end of the tunnel on the injury front. With these guys coming back we need to start winning but they will have to earn their place back by coming through with the United team.”
Changes in the team this week see Jake Caulfield return to the front row with Alex Gordas being unavailable. Shay Kerry is also unavailable and Milo Reynolds starts in second row, fit after injury. Al Bryan starts at outside centre for Sam Hanks and Jack Adams returns fully fit after injury to inside centre. Alex Frame starts at scrum half for Andy Uren with Clive Stuart-Smith returning to the bench.
#teamcindy news sees Cinderford United travel to play Ampthill 2nds with a KO 2.15pm. Stags are away also at Old Cents 2nds KO 2.30pm and Bucks v Berry Hill at 2.30pm. Good luck to all teams.
Cinderford v Wharfedale
15 Mike Wilcox (capt)
14 Chris Hawkins
13 Al Bryan
12 Jack Adams
11 Sam Baker
10 Lloyd Evans
9 Alex Frame
1 Jake Caulfield
2 Sam Wilkes
3 Elliot Booley
4 Lance Randall
5 Milo Reynolds
6 Roger Birkin
7 George Mills
8 George Evans
Replacements
16 Mike Davis
17 Dave Wheeler
18 Mike Uren
19 Mark Davies
20 Clive Stuart-Smith